HAINES CITY – One elected official wants to see a change in regard to protocol with the city attorney.
City Commissioner Anne Huffman recently advocated that the elected body evaluate City Attorney Fred Reilly on an annual basis the way it does with the city clerk and city manager. The proposition is set to be discussed at a workshop Thursday night.
“I just couldn’t understand how he gets paid so much and we don’t evaluate him,” Huffman said. “I watch the job that he’s doing and I’m the one that brings awareness to his invoices and what we’re actually paying for.”
Huffman noted that the monthly bills for the city attorney run between $12,000 and $18,000 and are approved in the consent agenda, but she would like better explanation as to what they’re for. An evaluation, Huffman said, would force commissioners to think more critically about the job Reilly is doing, examine spending more closely and keep taxpayers more informed.
“My concerns with the city attorney are he attends meetings where I don’t see that he needs to be there and bills the taxpayers,” Huffman said. “We as commissioners need to look at his strengths and weaknesses. I just want accountability and transparency.”
Huffman noted that the evaluations would also help Reilly to improve. The city attorney’s budget increased this fiscal year from $150,000 to $170,000. Reilly said the increase was because he went over budget the last two years as result of a lingering litigation case.
“I’m comfortable doing whatever the City Commission wants me to do,” Reilly said of being evaluated. “During the five years (as city attorney), my contract has only been renewed four times and there has never been an increase in rate.”
Throughout the county, some cities evaluate attorneys while others do not. John Murphy is city attorney in Winter Haven, Dundee, Lake Alfred and Mulberry, but receives an evaluation only in Winter Haven.
“Some cities are larger than others, so they’re structured differently,” Murphy said. "Feedback is always helpful."
Thursday night’s workshop will begin at 6 at 620 E. Main St. The regular meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
Mike Ferguson can be reached at Mike.Ferguson@theledger.com or 863-4016981. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.